For about 20 years I always ate at the same Italian restaurant and I like many New Yorkers was sad when they closed. Ever since then I have been looking for a new Italian restaurant to eat at. The search is now over.

Emilio’s Ballato is a fabulous restaurant in so many ways. First of all it is small and it has a rather retro feel to it. The walls are covered with photos of the famous people that have eaten there. I always sit at the table next to photos of David Bowie. He lived a few blocks away.

The food is exquisite. There are many restaurants in NYC led by named chefs. Not Emilio’s Ballato. They don’t rest their reputation on that. Last time I was there I ordered a ravioli dish and the waiter told me that that’s what Obama ordered!

Like most Italian restaurants in NYC, they don’t take reservations. They do take credit cards though which is not always true of other Italian restaurants. I will say that I have once again found my favorite Italian restaurant in this city.

They now have a website!

Emilio’s Ballato 55 East Houston near Mott Street (212) 274-8881

Hollywood Diner is one of many diners in New York City. The important thing to me is that they are independently owned businesses. That typically means that they care about you the customer. That is true of this diner and yes, they carry the standard diner fare including burgers and breakfast.

Hollywood Diner, 574 6th Avenue at 16th Street

Astor Plate brings Mud Coffee back to Astor Place. There was always a Mud Coffee truck located next to the Astor Place subway station. They know how to make a good cup of coffee! They also sell food including avocado toast and there's outdoor seating.

Astor Plate, East 8th Street and Cooper Square.

Westsider Books is a real gem. This is the kind of bookstore that you enter to discover books that you didn’t know about or stumble upon a book that you forgot about and wanted to read,

It’s rather small, but the books line the walls from floor to ceiling and it has a kind of magical feel to any book lover who enters. I love to just let my mind wander across all the titles and authors. It’s a real one-of-a-kind and definitely worth the trip uptown.

They opened in 1980 and they sell rare & used books. Their website is a little wonky so I haven’t included it here. They also have a location at 233 West 72nd Street which I haven’t been to yet.

Westsider Books - 2246 Broadway, near 81st Street - 212 362 0706

I was very sad when Eisenberg’s Sandwich closed during the pandemic. Now this location that has a long history has reopened as S & P Sandwich Shop. The interior looks very much like it always did and the food was quite good.

As you probably know, I prefer indie businesses and the feel when eating here is warm and friendly. I’ve only eaten here once so far. The name is actually the original name of the restaurant in 1928 before it was changed to Eisenberg’s Sandwich. I’ll definitely be going back there sometime soon.

S & P Sandwich Shop - 174 Fifth Avenue, (212) 691-TUNA

B&H Dairy is a great little deli in New York City. Whether you are a vegetarian or not, you should be able to have a great meal here. I typically have the pierogis and/or a bowl of borscht. I keep meaning to try the French toast made with challah bread! It's difficult to choose from the many deli items they have. They also serve Dr. Brown's cream soda. The staff are very friendly and the clientele are typically from the neighborhood.

They have been in business since 1938! In a city with more than 20,000 restaurants that is truly amazing. Many restaurants in this city come and go. As an old school restaurant, they don't have a website! Also, they are a CASH ONLY restaurant. And the prices are nice on the wallet. By the way, they are also Kosher.

B&H Dairy and Vegetarian, 127 Second Avenue, near St. Marks Place in the East Village.

Yes, I do love real books and good bookstores. McNally Jackson is perhaps my favorite bookstore in New York City. I typically go to the location in Soho. But if you happen to find yourself in Williamsburg it is definitely worth it. Every person who works at McNally Jackson knows books and they tend to specialize in different kinds of topics. The selection of books in the areas of poetry, literature, arts, general nonfiction to name a few areas always fascinates me.

McNally Jackson 76 N. 4th Street, Williamsburg

Yes, I do love bookstores and Spoonbill & Sugartown Bookseller certainly fits this category. Their location is small but their collection is highly curated. They also sell select magazines and paper goods as well as a few secondhand books.

I asked a salesperson about books on a particular topic and she was able to help me find what I was looking for. They are an indie business and they've been in business since 1999.

"If you happen to walk through the doors, you might find the book you’re looking for. But if your mind and eyes remain open you’ll be subject to the phenomenon of “bookshop serendipity”, where anything can happen. We offer second-hand, rare as well as new books on Contemporary Art, Literature, Philosophy and various Design fields – but we also hand-pick thousands of good books of all stripes every month to try and satisfy print-lovers from all over the world."

Spoonbill & Sugartown Bookseller, 218 Bedford Avenue near North 5th Street

Update: Casey’s is in business still! It’s a great store. Updated 12 July 2021.

In a world that seems to be dominated by all things digital there are some analog items that still exist with good reason. Casey’s Rubber Stamps has existed in its East Village location on 11th Street for more than 15 years now. Casey has been in the rubber stamp business for more than 35 years.

Casey has every kind of rubber stamp that you can imagine from alphabets to zebras. And if he doesn’t have what you’re looking for he takes custom orders. You can also order online. When was the last time you wrote a physical letter to someone or made a greeting card by hand? There are so many cool things you can do with rubber stamps including shopping at an independent business.

Casey’s hours are based on artist’s hours and he is “open when not closed and closed when not open.” The listed hours of business are Monday-Saturday 1-8 pm and Sunday 2:30-7 pm.

Casey Rubber Stamps 322 East 11th Street (between First and Second Avenue)